Installation Overview

Each port adapter circuit board is mounted to a metal carrier and is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.

Note When a port adapter slot is not in use, a blank port adapter must fill the empty slot to allow the router or switch to conform to electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions requirements and to allow proper airflow across the port adapters. If you plan to install a new port adapter in a slot that is not in use, you must first remove the blank port adapter.

Handling Port Adapters

Online Insertion and Removal

Several platforms support online insertion and removal (OIR) of port adapters; therefore, you do not have to power down routers when removing and replacing a DPT port adapter on Cisco 7200 series, Cisco 7200 VXR, or Cisco uBR7246 routers.

Although Cisco 7500 series routers do support OIR, VIPs do not. To remove or install a port adapter on the VIP, first remove the VIP from the chassis, and then remove or install the port adapter.

Note As you disengage the port adapter from the router or switch, OIR administratively shuts down all active interfaces in the port adapter.

Warnings and Cautions

Observe the following warnings and cautions when installing or removing port adapters.

Caution Do not slide a port adapter all the way into the slot until you have connected all required cables. Trying to do so disrupts normal operation of the router or switch.

Note If a port adapter lever or other retaining mechanism does not move to the locked position, the port adapter is not completely seated in the midplane. Carefully pull the port adapter halfway out of the slot, reinsert it, and move the port adapter lever or other mechanism to the locked position.

Caution To prevent jamming the carrier between the upper and the lower edges of the port adapter slot, and to ensure that the edge connector at the rear of the port adapter mates with the connection at the rear of the port adapter slot, make certain that the carrier is positioned correctly, as shown in the cutaway in the following illustrations.

Warning When performing the following procedures, wear a grounding wrist strap to avoid ESD damage to the card. Some platforms have an ESD connector for attaching the wrist strap. Do not directly touch the midplane or backplane with your hand or any metal tool, or you could shock yourself.